The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Wale Adewole, on Monday, 23 February 2026, paid courtesy visits to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II; the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Toriola, Ajibise Ogo I, and the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Laroye II, as part of efforts to strengthen stakeholder engagement and foster community collaboration in the discharge of the Service’s statutory responsibilities.
During his visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, DC Adewole expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to him and his management team. He described the palace as a symbol of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and sought the support and cooperation of the traditional institution and the wider community in combating smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, and enhancing national economic security.
In his response, the Ooni of Ife commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its critical role in trade facilitation, border security, and the suppression of smuggling. He assured the Command of his continued support in promoting lawful economic activities within the domain.
At the palace of the Ogunsua of Modakeke, the Acting Controller thanked the monarch for his hospitality and acknowledged the vital role traditional rulers play in maintaining peace and security in their communities. He emphasised the importance of community cooperation, particularly in intelligence sharing, to enable the Service effectively carry out its mandate. The Ogunsua of Modakeke commended the Service for its contributions to national development and pledged the support and cooperation of his people toward achieving the Command’s objectives.
Similarly, at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, DC Adewole reiterated the Command’s commitment to strengthening relationships with host communities and traditional institutions. He noted that sustained collaboration remains essential in promoting lawful trade and preventing illicit activities. The Ataoja of Osogbo welcomed the delegation and praised the Nigeria Customs Service for safeguarding the nation’s economy, assuring the Command of the palace’s continued support and cooperation.
DC Adewole explained that the visits form part of the Command’s strategic efforts to deepen synergy with key stakeholders, particularly traditional institutions whose influence is critical in promoting compliance with Customs laws and advancing national security objectives.
The Oyo/Osun Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to its core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and suppression of smuggling, while continuing to build strong partnerships with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
